**To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:** Ecclesiastes 3:1
For the past month, we have looked at the value and virtue of womanhood. Any woman who faces life with her eyes open demonstrates many of the virtues reflected in the 31st chapter of Proverbs. We ended our journey through that chapter with a reminder that in time, at the right time, the virtuous woman will see the fruit of her labors.
The thing is that there are a lot of challenging days to be endured before she can bask in the rewards. If we look back at some of the virtuous women we already know so well, we might think of Sarah and all those days wandering in an unknown land, living in tents, and riding on camels. There were a lot of days and years that went by before she saw the fulfillment of God’s promise to her to have a child.
Bathsheba, also, endured many long and lonely days when Uriah was out in battle with the armies of Israel. In her relationship with David, she is only mentioned once or twice more after the tragic outcome of that relationship. I imagine that, again, she faced many uneventful days after she was taken into her palace. Her time was probably spent raising Solomon and possibly other children. Possibly not all her own. Her life had its privileges living in the king’s palace, but little more is known of her until she speaks through Solomon in the Book of Proverbs.
Esther lived a similar lifestyle. She went about her business as queen behind the scenes many days until the one day that the Lord called upon her to save the children of Israel from annihilation.
These women’s lives are not that different from our own. Though they were princesses or queens of their people, their duties were to simply do the basics every day and patiently wait for the few moments of excitement, or glory or praise or appreciation.
Hence, today’s verse from Ecclesiastes. There is a time…..and that time is not usually today. There is a time to do what needs to be done and there is a time to be recognized for what we do. Those two times do not often coincide. There are many times of doing, working, persevering, patiently enduring and few times of praise and gratitude.
But God is faithful and knows every detail of what we do. He knew all that Bathsheba suffered because of the men in her life. He knew what little appreciation she received over the years. So, He remembered her and her words in Proverbs 31 for all of us to read and know. I doubt Bathsheba knew the impact her teachings would make on generations of women through the ages.
Today, if you are feeling unappreciated, or taken for granted, know that all of the superstar women in history walked the same path that you do. But like them, there is also One who is watching and hearing all that you do and say and He is just waiting for the perfect time to reward you. He has not forgotten your labor of love. He has not forgotten your tears. He has not missed any detail of your heart-filled efforts.
At the right place and at the right time, the Lord will be there to help you to see the purpose and plan that is currently unfolding in your life. For now, in this season, be patient. Be kind. Be faithful, full of faith. Trust that the Lord is watching and keeping track of all that you do for your loved ones. Wait with anticipation, and with gratitude for all that you already have. Until the day that your faith becomes sight, and your labor is rewarded here and in eternity.